People in Nevada know the name, “Vistana.” The Vistana Homeowners Association was ground zero for the massive FBI investigation of HOA corruption, rigged elections, racketeering, bribery, extortion, and maybe even a murder or two. Actually, they’re officially classified as suicides, but one of the lawyers who committed ‘suicide’ had his knees bashed in by ‘persons unknown’ inside his gated community. The kneecapping happened just a few months before his ‘suicide’. Ah, I forgot to add, this profoundly disabled lawyer was able to hang himself from the rafters of a barn. Suspicious? Hmmmm.
With the HOA scandal occupying all the headlines you’d think the current board and management of Vistana would be especially sensitive about obeying the letter of the law. But remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Yes, it seems the Vistana board needed to tow about 70 cars because of a paving project. Nevada has strict laws governing the towing of cars. But did the board follow the laws? Any of them? I’ll let KTNV reporter Darcy Spears answer that question in her HOA Hall Of Shame, linked below.
(link to HOA Hall of Shame)
Followup!
The State of Nevada has actually filed criminal charges against those responsible for the Vistana towing atrocity. Strange to think of a Nevada crime prosecuting body actually doing some prosecuting!
(link to HOA Hall of Shame followup story)
What is it with predatory towing schemes? Here in Florida, we have had numerous reports of over-zealous towing companies, not only in HOAs but also on streets near tourist areas. Great way to treat visitors – limit parking, then tow their cars. Some local counties and cities had to amend their local laws to prevent some of the abuse.
In Vistana, it appears the management company was generating some additonal revenue? Where did the excess fee money paid by money order go?
It’s ALWAYS about the money. And how much goes into who’s pockets. You never see things like this happen unless someone’s taking in cash.
Strategic media attention probably had something to do with charges filed.
That’s why we have the First Amendment, right?
Went to an HOA class this week…two attorneys taught it (one represents owners, one represents HOAs). One of them said a common conversation the HOA attorney has in making decisions is, is said owner likely to sue/financially able to sue…and then they decide how they will proceed…which may explain why they do whatever they want which may seem to be contradictory with following the law. Such as, my example, the attorney on a recall ignoring the definition of ‘eligible’ to vote in the bylaws to assist the board in determining that they are invalidating the recall petition…and then in my opinion, when the owner gets an attorney, the HOA attorney makes more money representing the HOA. The whole system is wrong wrong wrong.